Georgia’s Alternative List of What to Do in London

Our awesome new Programme Officer Georgia, who’s a born and bred South Londoner, has been giving out the best recommendations to our students who want to check out some less touristy, more punk rock places while they’re in London! If you’re looking for something alternative to the usual spots, check out Georgia’s list.

Cool areas

Camden: Camden is a hotspot for London’s Punk and Goth scenes, with a beautiful canal, several markets where you can find vintage clothes, tasty food (I’m reliably informed that there is a very good mac and cheese stall in the riverside food market) and quirky gifts. The area was once the stomping ground of Amy Winehouse, and although it has been hit by fire and some of the markets rebuilt, it retains its quirky charm.

Shoreditch:The original hipster area of London, you can find craft beer, flat whites and artisanal pizza by the bucket load here. Box-park is the place to go if you enjoy being overwhelmed by food options!

Peckham:Shoreditch’s younger and cooler cousin. You can see a film for a fiver at Peckhamplex, dance to everything from Techno to funk and soul in the Bussey Building and sample great Vietnamese food at Banh Banh.

Places to see music

The Underworld: Rock and Metal venue in Camden Closest tube: Camden Town

The Forum: The best place in London to see a big gig that’s still not cheesy. Closest tube: Kentish Town

Bush Hall: West London venue with a stunning interior- originally built in 1904, it was even used as a soup kitchen in World War II. Closest tube: Shepherd’s Bush market

Brixton Windmill: Pint-sized South London venue with a genuine windmill next door. Closest tube: Brixton

Small Museums

Museum of Childhood: Run by the same people as the V & A museum, there are plenty of vintage toys to look at here. Great if you are interested in history or design. Closest tube: Bethnal Green

Brick Lane: An amalgamation of several markets on different days of the week selling vintage clothes, jewellery and food. Closest tube: Aldgate East

Parks

Greenwich:Greenwich is worth setting aside a whole day for so you can appreciate the park’s rolling green scenery, as well as standing with one foot in each hemisphere at the Royal Observatory, setting sail on the Cutty Sark and exploring the fan museum (yes, really). Don’t forget to stop for lunch at Goddards for a traditional British meal of Pie and Mash. Closest tube: Cutty Sark (DLR)

Crystal Palace:A typical huge London park with the added bonus of dinosaurs, which are currently being given fresh makeovers. Crystal Palace (at the top of the hill) is also a great place for lunch (try Urban Orient. You can thank me later) Closest tube: Crystal Palace/Penge West (Overground)